732 Recently pabtished Ornithological Works. [Ibis, 



Kuroda on new Birds from the far East. 



[On one new genus and three new species of Birds from Corea and 

 Tsushima. By Nagamichi Kuroda, Tori (The Aves). Published by 

 the Ornithological Society of Japan, Tokio. No. 5, 1917, pp. 1-6, pi. vi.] 



This short paper, printed partly in English and partly in 

 Japanese, contains a description of a Sheldrake for which 

 Mr. Kuroda considers it necessary to propose a new generic 

 and specific name : — Pseudotadorna cristata. The type and 

 only specimen was obtained on the Naktung river in Corea, 

 and a photograph of it is reproduced. 



There is no doubt that this is the same bird as that 

 figured in the ' Proceedings of the Zoological Society' (1890, 

 pi. i.). This specimen was obtained near Vladivostok and 

 was sent to Dr. P. L. Sclater, who regarded it as a hybrid 

 between Tadorna casarca and Querquedula falcata. We 

 understand from Lord Rothschild and Dr. Hartert, who 

 directed our attention to the plate in the Proceedings, that 

 it is undoubtedly a new form of duck and not a hybrid, as 

 Mr. Kuroda has since found evidence of other examples 

 of the same duck occurring in Corea and other parts of 

 Asia. It is a remarkable discovery and a strikingly distinct 

 form characterized by a long black nuchal crest, a bri)wn 

 back and belly narrowly vermiculated with white lines, 

 and a large patch of white on the wing formed by the 

 coverts. 



The other new subspecies are Parus major quelpartensis 

 from Quelpart Island, which lies to the south of Corea, and 

 Zosterops palpebrosa ijlmce from southern Corea, Quelpart 

 and Tsushima Islands. Of the last-named species the author 

 now recognizes six Japanese and Corean forms differing 

 chiefly in the shape and size of the bill. Both the new 

 subspecies are figured in colour on plate vi. 



Mathews on the Birds of Australia. 



[The Birds of Australia. By Uregory M. Mathews. Vol. vii. pt. ii. 

 pp. 113-216, pis. 335-342. London (Witherby), May 1918. 4to.] 



The Kingfishers are a most distinct and interesting group 

 of Birds, both in appearance and habits, consequently in 



